Stikine River and Delta
Just to the southeast of Petersburg is the Stikine River (Tlingit Indian for Great
River), which winds its way 400 miles down the Coastal Mountains in British Columbia
where it empties in Alaska. The Stikine's bending arms grace the Stikine River Delta,
which is home to over 120 species of migrating birds during the spring and
fall. In April, the Hooligan (smelt) run occurs at the Stikine, which draws the second
largest congregation of eagles in the world. Over 1600 eagles appear to feed on the
massive schools of Hooligan. This river and the surrounding area around it are home to big game such
as moose, bear, wolves, and a multitude of smaller game. Huge King Salmon make a
run up this river to spawn in early summer, bringing with them smaller trout who feed on
the eggs.